Ruger SR1911 slide stop..

[Qc_BearHunter]

Hello,

Just got my second restricted firearm from a fellow CGNutter, a Ruger SR1911 in .45

I need to push down very hard on the slide stop to close it. So much that my thumb really hurts after a few times. And I’m not a sissy.

Is there anything I can do other than just wait it to wear a little and become softer? Everything seems real tight on this gun.

 

[Trinimon]

Is there an empty mag in the pistol?

 

[Qc_BearHunter]

Yes?

 

[Qc_BearHunter]

Is there an empty mag in the pistol?

Thanks, you light something. It’s really easier with a round in the mag or with the mag removed. As it should be!

 

[savage112]

Put an extended slide stop in it. They should be standard equipment anyway, in a 1911.

 

[daBear]

Dont be using the slide lock to close the slide. Slingshot it, in other words from the open/locked position, pull the slide fully to the rear and release. Using the slide 'stop' to release you are fighting tension on a metal on metal surface which will eventually lead to accelerated wear. Oh sure there are those who will lose their minds saying its perfectly alright to use the slide lock to release cuz the pro's do it..Come to your own conclusion but just beware that the problem will always be there in some fashion when using that method. Flame Suit On...

 

[tjhaile]

Put an extended slide stop in it. They should be standard equipment anyway, in a 1911.

No. Extended slide releases are more likely to induce malfunctions compared to a standard length one. They are also unnecessary if you use correct technique, i.e. using the support hand to work the release on a reload.

Also, I wouldn't make a habit of allowing the slide to slam forward on an empty gun. Even if it doesn't accelerate wear as sometimes claimed, it's still sort of a caveman thing to do.

 

[daBear]

I agree with above. Slamming the slide forward on an empty gun is another case of steel on steel. I would use a snap cap or dummy round if practicing. I always allow the slide to come forward under control on my own guns but see others slamming regularly. Not a big deal, just a matter of personal preference. You do what you want with your gun and I will use my method for mine. Just one of many preferences of which we all do our own.
Cheers
dB

 

[Trinimon]

Thanks, you light something. It’s really easier with a round in the mag or with the mag removed. As it should be!

Lol, figured as much. It's heavy because you are also having to compress the magazine spring with not much surface area to put your thumb on. I'm not a fan of dropping a slide close on an empty chamber and use dummy ammo or snap caps.

 

[Meroh]

Dont be using the slide lock to close the slide. Slingshot it, in other words from the open/locked position, pull the slide fully to the rear and release. Using the slide 'stop' to release you are fighting tension on a metal on metal surface which will eventually lead to accelerated wear. Oh sure there are those who will lose their minds saying its perfectly alright to use the slide lock to release cuz the pro's do it..Come to your own conclusion but just beware that the problem will always be there in some fashion when using that method. Flame Suit On...

This!

 

[4n2t0]

I would...

Close on empty.
Use the slide stop as a slide release.
Not use snap caps.

I have the SR1911 Target and I do all of the above, all the time.

 

[easyrider604]

A well tuned and broken in 1911 will cycle almost as smoothly with or without a loaded full or partially magazine.
Try removing the recoil spring (at the range, unless you have dummy rounds), and cycle the slide manually with and without a loaded magazine. You can feel a little drag as the slide strips a round and the round slides under the extractor’s claw, but not much.

What’s going to be damaged by dropping the slide without a magazine would be a tuned trigger, or more precisely, the sear/hammer interface, if you do not depress the trigger (while dropping the slide).

 

[NAA]

Put an extended slide stop in it. They should be standard equipment anyway, in a 1911.

Not all 1911 lovers would agree with this.

Maybe I'm 'old school' 1911. To me, it's called a 'slide stop' for a reason. I never use it as a 'slide release', so having an extended one wouldn't be for me.

I even changed out the extended one that came with a Norc 1911 compact [commander] I bought NIB to a standard one as it was of no practical use to me. And I prefer the clean look of standard one installed.

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NAA.

 

[NAA]

A well tuned and broken in 1911 will cycle almost as smoothly with or without a loaded full or partially magazine.
Try removing the recoil spring (at the range, unless you have dummy rounds), and cycle the slide manually with and without a loaded magazine. You can feel a little drag as the slide strips a round and the round slides under the extractor’s claw, but not much.

What’s going to be damaged by dropping the slide without a magazine would be a tuned trigger, or more precisely, the sear/hammer interface, if you do not depress the trigger (while dropping the slide).

Yes, this!

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NAA.